French Subantarctic Territory - Facts

The French Subantarctic Territory Country Updates

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The French Subantarctic Territory Facts for Sailors

• The French Subantarctic Territory (Territoire des Terres Australes et Antarctiques Francaises (TAAF) - Les Iles Australes) is located in the southern Indian Ocean, south-east of Africa, approximately equidistant between Africa, Antarctica and Australia.
• The French Austral Islands are a French Overseas Territory administered by a "Préfet" in Saint-Pierre on Réunion Island.
• The territory includes three districts: Île Amsterdam - Île Saint-Paul, Îles Crozet, and Îles Kerguelen in the southern Indian Ocean near 43°S, 67°E.
• The French Austral Islands are not part of the Antarctic Treaty and applications to land are sent to the TAAF for approval.
• Since July 2019, the the French Austral Islands, which encompass the entire perimeter of the national nature reserve, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Access to the French Austral Islands is limited and strictly regulated.
• Wildlife is protected by a National Park Act. There are several Protected Areas which may be visited by permit only.
• The French-claimed sector of Antarctica, Adélie Land, is not recognized internationally. Adélie Land is part of the Antarctic Treaty. See Antarctica for details specific to visiting Antarctica Territories.